Sport and Environment Commission

On national or international level, several institutions contribute to the promotion of sustainable development in sport within the Olympic Movement either by participating in IOC initiatives or in their own right.

Cooperation with Olympic Solidarity

Using sport to promote sustainable development is one the aims of the programmes and initiatives supported by the Olympic Solidarity. Through its sport and environment programme, Olympic Solidarity encourages NOCs to be actively involved in the field of sport and environment by undertaking, implementing and promoting programmes and initiatives, using sport as a tool for sustainable development.

Help to NOCs

It contributes to the IOC initiatives implemented via the Department of International Cooperation and Development by helping NOCs wishing to send delegates to the IOC World Conferences and Regional Seminars on Sport and Environment.

At the same time, the programme helps NOCs to set up and carry out individual initiatives on a national basis within this field. These might include national seminars, targeted increased awareness campaigns, education activities and study projects.

Regional Seminars on Sport and Environment

Since 1997, Regional Seminars on Sport and Environment are organised each year by the IOC, in cooperation with Olympic Solidarity on different continents for NOCs. Members of the IOC Sport and Environment Commission, United Nations Environment Programme regional representatives, Government representatives, experts of national environmental agencies, local authorities and other parties concerned by this issue are also part of these seminars.

The seminars are designed to raise awareness of NOCs and advocate the need to use sport as a tool for sustainable development in their countries, to share experiences on initiatives implemented by NOCs and their Sport and Environment Commissions, to identify major issues yet to be resolved and to obtain their commitment on relevant measures and actions to implement at a national level with and through sport.

Manual on sport and environment

Published for the first time in 1997, the IOC Manual on Sport and Environment was revised in 2005. In contrast to the Olympic Movement's Agenda 21, which is a theoretical work, the manual is a practical guide prepared for all members of the Olympic Movement, from the largest and most developed entities to the smallest organisations, all the way down to the individual level.

Designed for a public not necessarily equipped with specific expertise in environmental issues, it aims to:

Present key concepts and issues concerning sport and the environment, provide basic tools to identify problem areas, establish priorities and find appropriate responses to issues stemming from the relationship between sport and the environment.

To propose environmental recommendations, giving concrete tips and ideas for actions that can be easily implemented by sportspeople and sport organizations.

To present the main aspects of the IOC policy on sustainable development and its actions